Constructional systems

ABSTRACT

Connection members for constructional systems, based on extrusions having at least one channel formation in at least one of the sides thereof, are characterized by having a base member which fits into the channel formation of one extrusion and at least one side member which fits into the channel formation of another extrusion to be connected to the first, securement of the connection member to join the extrusions to draw them together.

United States Patent Inventor Alan Charles Goose Sheffield, EnglandAppl. No. 828,242

Filed May 27, 1969 Patented July 13, 1971 Assignee Aluminum SystemsLimited Yorkshire, England Priority May 30, 1968 Great Britain 25,978/68CONSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[1.8. CI 52/656, 287/54 A Int. Cl Fl6b 3/00 FieldofSearch 287/189.36

F, 189.36 H, 189.36 C,l89.36, 189.35, 54 A, 54 B, 54 C; 52/656; 160/381[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,809,726 10/1957 Farquharet a1. 287/189.36F 3,061,055 10/1962 Nijhuis 287/189.36 H 3,174,5903/1965 Haker v 1 t .,287/189.36 F X 3,196,995 7/1965 Wilson etal.287/189.36 F 3,285,643 11/1966 Ferguson 287/189.36 F 3,485,519 12/1969Chiu 287/189.36 X

Primary Examiner Reinaldo P. Machado Assistant Examiner-Wayne L. SheddAttorney-McGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: Connection members forconstructional systems, based on extrusions having at least one channelformation in at least one of the sides thereof, are characterized byhaving a base member which fits into the channel formation of oneextrusion and at least one side member which fits into the channelformation of another extrusion to be connected to the first, securementof the connection member to join the extrusions to draw them together.

CONSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS This invention relates to connection members foruse in conjunction with constructional systems of the kind usingstandard extrusions or sections of aluminum or other light metals,plastics materials or the like. Constructional systems of this generalkind advantageously use lengths of a relatively small number of relatedsections of different sizes; for instance, a system can usefully employa first section which is square in cross section and so has a 1 unitside, together with a second section which is rectangular, having sideswhich are 1 unit by 2 units and a third section which is square, havingsides which are 2 units by 2 units.

One such constructional system is based upon the use of integralaluminum sections, each comprising inner webs forming an inner rectangleor core, intermediate webs extending outwardly from at least the cornersof the core and outer webs carried by the intermediate webs and definingat least the corner portions of an outer rectangle concentric with theinner rectangle, a longitudinal slot between provided being the cornersof a least one side of the outer rectangle, this slot giving access to achannel formation along the section.

The intermediate webs may extend diagonally out from the corners of asquare or rectangular inner core and also perpendicularly out from thecenter lines of the inner core or rectangle; also, the intermediate webscan extend out in other positions or angles, e.g. by extending the innerwebs and defining another square or rectangular core in each corner ofthe section. Many other shapes of intermediate web can also be used and,in general, they have only to join the inner and outer rectanglestogether without obstructing the channel formation to which the slotgives access.

Sections of this kind allow an extremely wide variety of frameworks tobe constructed by forming joints between lengths of the sections; it isan advantage of the constructional systems described thattwo-dimensional and three-dimensional frameworks can be readily madeusing a few standard lengths of the sections, without much, or in manycases any, cutting being required.

It is an object of this invention to provide a connection member for usewith extruded sections of the kind described, whereby rigid joints canbe simply and quickly made by making use of the channel formations inthe lengths of extruded sections making up the joint. It will beunderstood that a channel formation, in this context, essentially has agreater width than the slot in the face of the extruded section whichgives access to such channel formation.

According to the invention, a connection member for making jointsbetween separate lengths of extruded sections, each having at least onechannel formation along one face thereof, is characterized in that itcomprises a base member which can be passed into the end of a channelformation in one section and secured in place therein by securing meansactuated through the slot in the section giving access to the channelformation and, carried by the base member, at least one side memberwhich can be passed into the end ofa channel formation in the othersection and secured in place therein by securing means actuated throughthe slot in such other section giving access to the channel formationtherein, actuating of the securing means in the side member serving todraw or urge the second section into a rigid fixed relationship with thefirst section.

Preferably, the connection member is for use with square or rectangularsections having cross sections whose side dimensions are a unit distanceor simple integral multiples thereof and with a slot located in eachside or in each unit distance of a side so that the slots, and thus thechannel formations they give access to, are arranged in opposed pairs;the connection member preferably consists of a base member arranged toslide sideways into a channel formation of one section, carrying a pairof side members, arranged to enter the ends of an opposed pair ofchannelformations of the other section.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, various forms of the connectionsmember and joints made with it are illustrated; in the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a connection member in perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows a right-angle joint between two sections, shown in crosssection, formed using the connection member of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 shows in perspective view the formation of a joint between twolengths of l 2 aluminum section, one of which carries other connectionmembers to illustrate the formation ofother joints.

Referring to FIG. 1, the connecting member shown has a base 10ofrectangular cross section, which is an easy sliding fit in a channelformation of an aluminum section (not shown in FIG. 1). At its center,this base 10 has a hole housing a set screw 12 for tightening againstthe base of the channel formation in the aluminum section. At each end,the base 10 carries a pair of spaced parallel side limbs 14 havingrectangular notches 16 where they join the base 10, for reception of theedges of outer webs of a section, as best shown in the other drawings.The side limbs 14 have tapered ends, as shown at 18, for easierinsertion into the channel formations of a section. The side limbs 14accommodate inclined threaded apertures containing pointed-end grubscrews 20 which are posi tioned so as to form an angle of about 60relative to the adjacent face of the base 10.

Use of the connecting member of FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2. Thebase 10 is shown inserted into an aluminum section 22, with the setscrew 12 tightened against one ofits inner webs, 24, and the notches 16receiving the outer webs, one of which is shown at 26. The side limbs 14have been inserted in two opposite channel formations of anotheraluminum section 28. In order to provide adequate purchase for theinclined screws 20, the relevant places in. the inner webs 30 of thesection 28 may be notched or indented before assembly, as shown at 32,for instance by means ofa manual indenting tool. Alternatively, aknurled screw, e.g. of the Allen" type is used, as the knurled portionfirmly grips the metal which it is tightened against. Access to the setscrew 12 is obtained through the slot 34 leading to the channelformation in the section 12 receiving the connection member by its base10; another slot in the section 22 is shown at 35; access to theinclined screws 20 is obtained via the corresponding slots 36 of thesection 28 and, owing to their inclined positions, on being tightened,they tend to draw the sections 22 and 28 together, forming a veryaccurate and rigid joint.

Referring to FIG. 3, this shows the formation of a joint between twolengths of aluminum section, shown for purposes of illustration as anupright length of 1X2 section, at 100, and a horizontal length of 1X2section, at 101, the latter being disposed with its two-unit sidesvertical and being prepared to make abutting contact with a one-unitside or the section 100. Such a joint would be required for instance atthe corner of a doorframe made from 1X2 unit material.

FIG. 3 shows that the section ,100 is an extrusion having opposed pairsof shorter webs 102 and longer webs 103 forming a rectangular innercore, perpendicular intermediate webs 104 projecting normally from thecenterlines of the longer webs 103, angled intermediate webs 105projecting diagonally from the junction lines of the webs 102 with thewebs 103, flat outer webs 106 on the webs 104 and angled webs 107 on thewebs 105, the outer webs 106 and 107 being organized to form an outerrectangle concentric with the inner core; the gaps between the webs 106and.107 produce slots 108 in the outer rectangle, there being one slot108 in the narrower oneunit faces of the section and two slots 108 inthe wider twounit faces of the section. These slots 108 give access tochannel formations of symmetrical or asymmetrical trapezium shape incross section which channel formations are wider than the slots 108, sothat a member slid into the end of a channel formation can engage underthe webs at either side of the slot 108. For reinforcing purposes, thejunctions of the diagonal webs 105 with the corners of the innerrectangular core are enlarged to provide ribs 109 having side surfaces110 perpendicular to the bases of the channel formations. These sidesurfaces 110 have the further purpose of providing lateral restraint ofconnection members located in the channel formations, in the formingofjoints, as explained below; whereas a side surface 110 is thus formedat either side of a channel formation associated with a one-unit face ofa section, such a side surface 110 is formed only at one side ofachannel formation in a twounit face of a section and another sidesurface can be readily formed at the other side by appropriatelyproviding a rib in the extrusion, as illustrated at 111 in FIG. 3.

A connection member 112 is shown located in the slot 108 in the one-unitface of the section 100. This connection member 112 is generally similarto that shown in FIG. I, having a base 113 secured in the channelformation by a screw 114 tightened by means of e.g. a screwdriver passedthrough the slot 108; if the screw 114 has a socketed head instead of aslotted one, a suitable key is used to tighten it; at spaced points,this base 113 carries a pair of side members 115 each having an angledscrew 116 located in a tapped bore therein, but these side members 115are spaced widely so as to be accommodated in an opposed pair of channelformations in the one-unit faces of the l 2 unit section 101. Whenlocated in place by moving the section 101 into abutment with thesection 100 into the position shown in chain'dotted lines, the angledscrews 115 can be tightened by use of a tool passed through thecorresponding slots in the section 101. The connection member 112 mayhave a longer base than the distance between the side members 115,having an extension such as shown at 117, receiving another screw 118 ifrequired, provided at one or both ends. It will be appreciated that ifthis ex tension 117 is not present it is possible for the connectionmember to move slightly within the channel formation, by pivoting aboutthe single screw usually provided, such as the screw 12 (FIG. 1) or 114(FIG. 3). This could allow joints to be made which were satisfactorilyrigid, but which did not have the respective sections properly aligned.To prevent this, the ribs 109 and (if required) 111 are provided andtheir side surfaces, such as 110, closely fit the connection memberbases or 113 and prevent undesirable movement of the connection members,such as could occur when the screw 12 or 114 was being tightened.

Formation of a joint using one of the slots 108 in the twounit face ofthe section 100 is shown in FIG. 3, where a connection member 120,similar to that shown in FIG. 1, is illustrated, prior to attachment ofe.g. a 1X! section to it. FIG. 3 also illustrates the formation ofangled joints using angled connection members, such as shown at 121 inthe other slot 108 in the same two-unit face of the section 100. Thisconnection member 121 is generally similar to those already described,except that its side limbs 122 are angled e.g. at 45 or 60 relative toits base (not shown) and also relative to the two-unit face of thesection 100. When another section is attached to the side limbs 122, itextends at the respective angle to the plane ofthe two-unit face of thesection 100. The abutting end of this other section is cut at acorresponding angle, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3. Angledjoints can also be made by using connection members having side limbswhich are bent in other ways from that shown, the only requirement beingthat such side limbs shall be parallel and spaced so as to be receivablein an opposed pair of channel formations in a section.

It will be readily appreciated that most joints are at right-angles andso require no cutting of the perpendicular ends of prepared stocksections. It will also be seen that the connection member is entirelyhoused within the channel formations of the sections which itjoinstogether.

lclaim:

l. A connection member, for making joints between separate lengths ofextruded sections each having at least one channel formation extendingalong at least one face thereof, with each channel formation having apredetermined cross section and includin a respective slot, defined byfacing webs of the respective c anne formation, extending along therespective channel formation and providing access thereinto; saidconnection member comprising in combination a base member constructed tobe inserted into the end of the first channel formation in a firstextruded section for unrestricted movement along said first channelformation to any preselected position therealong; first securing meansoperatively associated with said base member and actuated through a slotin said first channel formation for securing said base member at apreselected position along said first channel formation; at least oneside member carried by said base member and extending outwardlytherefrom through the slot of said first channel formation, each sidemember being arranged to engage into the end ofa second channelformation in asecond extruded section; and second securing meansoperatively associated with each side member and actuated through theslot in said second channel formation, said second securing means beingoperable, on actuation, both to secure the associated side member insaid second extruded section and to draw said second extruded sectioninto a rigid fixed relationship with said first extruded section.

2. A connection member, as claimed in claim 1, in which said base membercarries a longitudinally spaced pair of said side members.

3. A connection member, as claimed in claim 1, in which each secondsecuring means comprises an inclined tapped hole in the associated sidemember; and a respective screw threaded into each hole.

4. A connection member, as claimed in claim 1, in which each side memberhas a tapered free end.

5. A connection member, as claimed in claim 2, in which said base memberextends longitudinally beyond said side members.

6. A connection member, as claimed in claim 1, in which each sidemember, at its junction with said l;;;:? member, is formed with notchesfor the reception of said webs.

1. A connection member, for making joints between separate lengths ofextruded sections each having at least one channel formation extendingalong at least one face thereof, with each channel formation having apredetermined cross section and including a respective slot, defined byfacing webs of the respective channel formation, extending along therespective channel formation and providing access thereinto; saidconnection member comprising in combination a base member constructed tobe inserted into the end of the first channel formation in a firstextruded section for unrestricted movement along said first channelformation to any preselected position therealong; first securing meansoperatively associated with said base member and actuated through a slotin said first channel formation for securing said base member at apreselected position along said first channel formation; at least oneside member carried by said base member and extending outwardlytherefrom through the slot of said first channel formation, each sidemember being arranged to engage into the end of a second channelformation in a second extruded section; and second securing meansoperatively associated with each side member and actuated through theslot in said second channel formation, said second securing means beingoperable, on actuation, both to secure the associated side member insaid second extruded section and to draw said second extruded sectioninto a rigid fixed relationship with said first extruded section.
 2. Aconnection member, as claimed in claim 1, in which said base membercarries a longitudinally spaced pair of said side members.
 3. Aconnection member, as claimed in claim 1, in which each second securingmeans comprises an inclined tapped hole in the associated side member;and a respective screw threaded into each hole.
 4. A connection member,as claimed in claim 1, in which each side member has a tapered free end.5. A connection member, as claimed in claim 2, in which said base memberextends longitudinally beyond said side members.
 6. A connection member,as claimed in claim 1, in which each side member, at its junction withsaid base member, is formed with notches for the reception of said webs.